Failed experiment: the Fab Four don’t work | OneFootball

Conte’s 4-4-1-1 doesn’t convince: the Fab4 struggle to coexist, McTominay and De Bruyne appear lost, and Napoli seems to have lost its incisiveness. Returning to the 4-3-3 could be the key to relaunching the team.

Failed Experiment: the Fab4 Don’t Work

The tactical shift orchestrated by Antonio Conte, designed to accommodate McTominay, Lobotka, Anguissa, and De Bruyne together, is not yielding the desired results. The 4-4-1-1, introduced to ensure balance and field the four most prominent midfielders at the same time, instead seems to have weakened Napoli’s identity and, above all, its key players.

MCTOMINAY LOST, DE BRUYNE WITHOUT PURPOSE

The first to suffer the consequences is Scott McTominay. The hero of the fourth league title, tireless anchor and decisive box-to-box player, now appears lost: he wanders the pitch without finding a position that allows him to make an impact as in previous seasons. From leader and driving force, he has become an outsider.

A similar situation for Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has never lacked intensity or quality: relentless pressing, more than decent physical condition, and the experience gained over years in the Premier League are evident. However, in Conte’s Napoli he struggles to find a precise role. He alternates the deep-lying playmaker role with Lobotka and ends up drifting aimlessly, unable to leave the mark expected from a player of his caliber.

Perhaps the solution lies in tradition. Returning to the 4-3-3, a formation that has become a Napoli trademark, could restore balance and incisiveness. Reinstating a natural left winger—whether Noa Lang or David Neres—would give breathing room and depth to the play, allowing McTominay to reclaim his natural role and Højlund to receive more offensive support.

To date, in fact, the young Danish striker has often found himself isolated, forced to battle entire opposing defenses alone without teammates ready to serve or support him in the box. That’s a luxury Napoli cannot afford if it wants to remain competitive.

Conte will have to reflect: continue down a path that doesn’t convince, or return to the system that has made this team great in recent years.

by Davide Maria Pellegrino

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.